Automatic fluid- vending machine



AUTOMATIC FLUID VENDING MACHlNE. APPLICATION FILED nov. :3. I917.

1,319,691. Patented Oct. 28,1919.

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51%]? 83 amuento'c muff QXMMM F, L. BUFF.-

AUTOMAHC FLUID VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 13. Ian.

1,319,691. Patented Oct. 28,1919.

6 SHEETSSHEET 2.

THE rbflmnm Pl-ANOGRAPH 1%., WASHINGTON. a;

F. L. BUFF.

AUTOMATIC FLUID VENDING MACHINE. APPLICATION r|L:0'Hov.1a. 1911.

Patented Oct. 28, 1919.

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F. L. BUFF.

AUTOMATIC FLUID VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. I3. 1917. 1,319,691. Patented Oct. 28,1919.

6 SH EETSSHEET 4.

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rm: roummn Pl ANOGIMIH c8 WASHINGTON, D. c.

F. L. BUFF.

AUTOMATIC FLUID VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. I3. I917.

1,319,691. Patented 00$. 28,1919.

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F. L. BUFF.

AUTOMATIC FLUID VENDING MACHINE. APPLICATlON FILED Nov. I3. 1911.

1,319,691. Patented Oct. 28,1919.

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J? 7 44v 31 /I 1.! I 1y I l g a I 6/ 99 9o .00 9f fi auucntoz muff, Wwtueoo f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK L. IBUFF, OF WIOHITA, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNIVERSAL FLUID VENDING MACHINE COMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION OF KANSAS.

AUTOMATIC FLUID-VENDING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 28, 1919.

Application filed November 13, 1917. Serial No. 201,836.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK L. BUFF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wichita, in the county of Sedgwick and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Automatic Fluid-Vending Machine, of which the following is a speclfication.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is adapted to be used for dispensing gasolene and like liquids in predetermined quantities. The gasolene is under the control of a valve which has two functions, in that it establishes communica tion between a source of supply and a tank, and establishes, also, communication bctween the tank and an outlet pipe.

The object of the invention is to improve the dispensing mechanism, including the aforesaid valve.

It is within the province of this disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawin s:-

Figure 1 is a ongitudinal section showing the upper part of the structure, including the tank and the float;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section disclosing the bottom part of the structure, a portion of the tank appearing in the view" Fig. 3 is a side elevation, wherein arts are broken away, the opposite side 0 the device from that depicted in Fig. 2 being shown;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section approximately on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an elevation looking at the innor side of one of the disks and attending broken away, in the distance, to the end that rev of the spring 27 being attachedto a cross parts, portions being successively mote parts may appear;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 66 of Fig. 5, parts appearing in elevation;

*ig. 7 is a sectional detail showing the valve;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail disclosing one of the latches;

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail disclosing a portion of the float operated mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a cross-section taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a perspective View showing the connector;

Fig. 12 is a fragmental vertical section showin a portion of the mechanism carried by the cat.

The device forming the subject matter of this application includes a supporting structure w ioh may be variously ashioned, the same including, in the present instance, a box-like base 1 embodying a front plate 2, a side plate 3 and an intermediate plate 4. The base 1 su ports a tank 5 which may have a removab e lid 6, the numeral 7 denoting the bottom of the tank, and the tank having a sight-glass 11.

Journaled for rotation in the intermediate plate 4 is a horizontal shaft 36 carrying, as shown at 37 in Fig. 5, a clutch memher which is of quadrant form. An annular rib 25 is attached by securing elements 26 to the intermediate late 4:, and within the contour of the rib, t e clutch member 37 on the shaft 36 moves. The numeral 33 denotes a disk-like head having a hub 34 which is mounted to rotate on the shaft 36, the hub 34 carrying, as shown in Fig. 5, a semi-circular clutch member 35, the ends of which are adapted to cooperate, one at a time, with the quadrant clutch member 37 on the shaft 36. The numeral 31 denotes an inner disk adapted to rotate on the hub 34 of the head 33 and having, as shown in Fig. 5, a semi-circular rib 32, inclosin the clutch member 35 and the hub 34 o the disk 33 and operating within the contour of the rib 25 wh1ch is attached to the interine diate plate 4. The numeral 27 denotes an inner coiled spring disposed between the disk 31 and the intermediate plate 4, one end of the sprin 27 being attached at 28 in a manner whic 25, on the Hired plate 4 and the other end pin e'sicmi-itd 'by'tlle disk 31, as sho'tvn in Fig. (i. The disk 31 is supplied with n Side projection or leg 43, seen at the top 'of he numeral 17 designates an outer disk having :1 lug 44 (Figs. 5'ahil6) aileiited to cooperate with the lug -13 on the disk 31. The disk l7 rotntes on'a'retluced hub eonetituting a part of the ehaft 36, the dish 17 being held on the hub "2 :9, for rotation, by a pin 40 one end of which is threaded into the shttft 36, the in haviii'g a wrench nee-(1, 11, which, with a washer '49 iidlds the 'disk 17 in lace for rotation "as die iaid. The nueral' 38 desi nates an 'oiit'er coil spring, one end of which is; attached to the pin 29, the other end hi 'whiehis ettached to the edge of the head 33, in the same immner'in Which the s; "ring '27 is attaehed it .28 in Fi ,5 to the tile 25 on the fi iced intermediate p ate 4. The outer disk 17 is peripherally supplied with a cam 24, (F igs, 2 ahdfi) the function of which willlde made manifest hereinafter. There is e redial slot 18 in the outer disk '17. ln'the slet 18, -a latch It) operates, the latch b'e'ing' mounted to move in a i rove 15 formedin ttheed le secu (1 es shofigvn at 16 (Fi 2 to tiji e'di sk ,17; a a b latch '19 is pivdteily matinee ime iied 14, indicated a't"2O"'('F1jgs. 5 and, 6 f. me end of eleef sprfng'e is ettec'hei to netted v1 4 by of a sc 'in jgtinent 22, the spring lfe iiii ahb "e if 2 'tTtgh iiihich one eiid'o the as's'e$- 'efspi'in Z1 enages the inner ep "dftlie' lat ch 19,:ind tends totlirotr the outer end of e latch 19 away from the ex osed face (if it ie 'dik 17. The lat'cih 19 timsgrin'g "21 adapt the Structdre claimed 'to a. eein-eoniironed mechanism. The parts 19 and 21 are mentioned merely Becaus they are inm'rpr'ned, in a mechanien sent, went the memlie'r or the liquidd'ipn's'ijii f nfeehhgnielii, the 'bbiedt in alludin" to lie parts i'r'i'gue's tlon being to avoid the 'o'f, "'o'nfus ion. By means of a pin 12 the herd L L is 'attnclied to a shaft 8 je'tirnziied 15in, en ir 3 of the ase 1 em owed,-eiesr eriy df the S'de lat e, vi i'th it hitnidfle 9 Whieh in eneminen with ii' liop 10 an the side ,pnte .3.

An 11115 iszleeaitei l tin the opposite side 'rnie "fix'd filitte mm the disks 31 and 17 a gsattecged I means of a. pin 46 to tli'eI-il'ia t3, itrm '45 is proyided with a "triltter edepted m coo en te with a hfn 48 mounted on the interme'; iate 1 late 4. ie -49 eignetes ,a latch e tint; redi'l'ce 119181; 501 ep'ted to slidein a slot 5.1 {Ifigs f and 8) formed in the intermediate. into 4.. it pi es-521s geared at 5?; to'tli e nb'lr-fillpf 'e ltlteh V and inchiiis an t) irfgstiiiidi1'1" feet 54 s'tending in tlieffiaitheft e e 4onhediiger disk 1-7;. 'l -lie tlfe lr 'm ifi i h ese Ifll ia d carr iir trilfer fi 336a 'tb-ta eiete with a buffer 57 on, the'fiked plate 4'. A shaft 59 is journaled in the exteneion :35 and carries, at one side the extension, a rooved wheel 58, having three internal projections or rollers, 60, mounted on shaft 60 in the \V hee l. Tlisposed on the opposite side of the extension 55 and secured to the shaft 59 is, a triangular pawl 66. A spring strip 61 is attached to the edge of the (link 17 and bears on the projections or rollers 60, two at a time, to hold the shaft 59 releasably against rotation, and to enable the pawl 66 to exercise its oflice.

A't therein shown a hooked latch wherewith the pawl 66 is adapted to engage, the latch being carried dry a shaft 63 journaled in the intermediate plate 4. The latch'62 is dis )OSOtlOD one side of intermediate plate 4, an -on the other side of the intermediate plzite there is an arm 64 which is attached to the shaft 63. The lower end of a plnn ger 65 is pivoted as indicated at 65* in Fig. 3 to the free end of the erm 64, the plunger including a shoulder 67 against which abuts the lower end of a helical-compression spring 68 carried by the plunger, the upper -end of the sprin 'en aging a Washer orride1'69 Wherein t 1e plunger 65 reciprocates. The plunger 65 is slidably received in openings 7 0 formed in a tubular bearing 71 carried bva hanger 7 Q-Inounted on the intermediate plate/1. A ehaft 73 is mounted to roek' in the bearing 71 endextends through the intermediate ,plate 4:, the shaft having, 'as shown in Fig. 9, a triangular opening 74 wherein the upper end of the plunger 65 is received.

Passimp; to 'Fig. 2, it will be observed that an arm 5 is #attached to the shaft 73, the arm 75 being located on the opposite side of intermediate plate 4 from the plunger 65. The arm 75 is pivoted at 75 to the lower end of the rod 76 slidable in aguide tube 77 carried by part 7 of the tank 5. The upper end of the rod 76 is securednt 7 8 (Fig. 1) to a tube 79 Inounted to slide on the outside of the guide tube 77. The tube '79 has a key 80 engaged in a k ay 80 formed (Fig. 11) in one of aplur lifly 'of yieldaiblc fingers '81 upstanding from a base ring 88 shown in Fig. 13. A nut 82 is threaded upon the fingers 8'1 and compresses the same on tube 79. The base wing 83 is located within an outer ringand is pivoted at 84 thereto, the outer ring 85theing pivoted at 86 ton neckv87 upstanding from a float 88 in the tank, the tube 79 passing through the float. The'key 8 0 prevents the float 88 .fron i rot ting, and by moving the nut 82, thehold of the fingers 81 upon the tube 79 me'y :be loosened or tightened, thereby permitting tl e lip'at 88 to be adjusted vertically on the t" e 9.

%i" need on the ,oppoeite side of the intermggiate plate 4 from the disks L7 and 31 and secured thereto at 89 is a bracket 89 carrying a valve casing 90 in which is journaled a valve 91 (Fig. 7) having an L shaped passage 92. The valve 91 is operatively united with one end of the shaft 36 by means of a connector 93 shown in Fig. 12. The valve casing 90 has side orts 95 and 96 and a top port 94. A pipe 9 forms a communication between the valve casing 90 and the tank 5 and communicates with the port 94. A lateral discharge hose 98 is carried by the casing 90 and communicates with port 95. The numeral 99 marks a dependin pipe which is adapted to communicate wit a source of liquid supply for the port 96.

When the device is not in use, the angular passage 92 in the valve 91 is so arranged that the passage communicates with the port 94 and with the pipe 97 leading to the tank 5, and with the discharge hose 98.

In order to operate the machine, the handle 9 is swung away from the stop 10, rotation being imparted to the outer disk 17 in the direction of the arrow A of Fig. 5 by way of the shaft 8 and the head 14. The cam 24 on the disk 17 passes from beneath the foot 54 on the cross piece 52, and the latch 49 moves downwardly in the slot 51 of the forked plate 4 until it lies in the path of the arm 45, thereby holding the arm against movement and preventing a rotation of the shaft 36. When the outer disk 17 is further rotated, the lug 44 onthe disk 17 engages the lug 43 on the disk 31, and both disks are rotated together. Then the disk 31 is rotated, the spring 27 is put under tension, because one end of the spring is attached by means of the pin 29 to the disk 31, and because the other end of the spring is attached at 28 to the rib 25 on the fixed in termediate plate 4. When the disk 31 is retated, as aforesaid, the spring 38 is put under tension, because one end of the spring is attached to the pin 29 in the disk 31, and because the other end of the spring is attached to the disk or head 33. The head 33 remains fixed, during the operation above described, since, as shown in Fig. 5, the semicircular clutch member 35 on the hub 34 of the head is en aged with the'c'lutch member 37 of the sha t 36, and the shaft 36 cannot rotate, for the reason that the arm 45 which is attached to the shaft is inter-engaged with the latch 49. When the inner disk 31 is rotated, pawl 66 which is carried by the extension of the disk 31 rotates through a slight are as it passes the head of the latch 62 and is held engaged with the latch 62 by the action of the spring 61 on two of the projections or rollers on the extension 55 of the disk 3].. The latch 62 is pressed toward the right in Fig. 2 by the pawl 66. as the third projection moves into engagement with the latch, the shaft 63 is rotated through a small arc, the free end of the arm 64 belng. raised,

and the plunger 65 being raised also, the plunger abutting against the bearing 71 at one slde of the upper opening 70. The plunger 65 cannot slide upwardly through the upper opening at this time, because the shaft 73 has been rotated by the weight of the float 5, tube 79, the rod 76 and the arm so that the shaft directs the end of the plunger against the inner surface of the bearing'71 at one side of the upper opening 70 in the bearing.

The operator now brings the handle 9 back to its original position against the stop 10. The outer disk 17 is restored to its original position also, the cam 24 lifting the latch 49, through the instrumentality of the cross piece 52 and the foot 54. When the latch 49 is raised, the arm 45 is released. The spring 38 reacts on the disk 31 and the arm 45 swings to the left (Fig. 3) until striker 47 on the arm engages the fixed buffer 48 on the plate 4. The clutch member 35 on the hub 34 of the head 33, coacting with the clutch member 37 on the shaft 36, rotates the shaft, motion being transmitted to the valve 91, and the valve being rotated with a snap until the striker 47 on the arm 45 has engaged the fixed buffer 48 as hereinbefore mentioned. When the valve 91 is rotated, the angular passage 92 in the valve 91 is shifted from communication between the ports 94 and 95, to communication with the ports 94 and 96.

Fluid now traverses the pipe 99 from the source of supply and moves through the ports 96, 92 and 94, into the tank 5, by way of the pipe 97. When a predetermined amount of liquid has accumulated in the tank 5, the float 88 is raised, thereby raising the tube 79 and the rod 76. When the rod 76 is raised (note Fig. 2) the arm 75 is swung upward] rotating the shaft 73, and when the shaft 3 is rotated (see Fig. 9) the shaft directs the upper end of the plunger 65 into alinement with the upper opening 70 in the hearing. The plunger 65 now moves upwardly under the thrust of the pawl 66 on the latch 62, and the latch 62 1s disengaged from the pawl 66, whereu on the inner disk 31 rotates back to its original position, due to the energy which has been stored in the spring 27. When the inner disk 31 is restored to its original position, the clutch member 32 on the disk 31, coacting with the clutch member 37 on the shaft 36, rotates the shaft and swings the arm 45 over until it passes beneath the latch 49, as shown in Fig. 3.

By the operation last above described, the valve 91 is turned back to the position of Fig. 7, so that the angular passage 92 communicates with the ports 94 and 95, a measured quantity of gasolene' flowin from the tank 5 through the pipe 97, throug the ports 94, 92 and 95, and out of the discharge hose 98*.

ill a-win thusdesorihed the in mention, what ie cleim 'ie:--

1. In a, device =0f the olmss'descnihethfimet mid second I OEtItu-blB member-s; means under the control of an operator 'for rotebing the first member forwardly nml remrwerflly; inter-engaging elementas i l-pun 'the first end second membez q whereby the first member \il'll impart forward rotebion to'the second l'nember; first and second springs tensione'd when the second member is rotated for werdly; e rthisd roteteble member whet-etc the first spring dseonnecbed; e-velwe shw'ft; dhltch elements on 'the thirflunemben, on the shaft and 611 Mm second member, theelitr'tach elements "of the third member and of the shwft co-ncting to holdflw third member against rotation when che second member is u -obated forwaird by; means for holding the sh'eft end for ee'tting it 1-ee, co1nprisin g a latch 'responeive "to the amt-ward rotation 01' the first -member for releasing the latch and am element carried-by said Shaft and coaching with the latch to hold the -shafifit; mechanism for holding 'the second lIlBl'IibHl' egarinst the'tension off the spning which bends to cause backwerd rotation of the second member; end float contfroliel means for are leasing said mechanism, Ythe c'hitch elements of the second member endmfbhe 'shefirbeokward cooperating to rotaee -the shaft eufiioiently he permit tlhe shwfitrceni'iefielementto engage with the latch when seidmeehanism is released;

2. A device conetnncbed in accordance with claim =1, :and fnflther characterized by the fact that the latch'is act'n'ated e cam on the firet member, and tha'twtlie shaft carrried elementconsfiste0f e'r'adiiel arm entoineticaxlly "engaging with =the latch.

3. A device constructed in accordance with claim L, and further chtirectez ized day the fact that the mecheniem 'foi' 'holeiing we second member against backward :rdtetion comprises a (pawl ion 'tihe resound member and a "sharft Inounteli to rock, the shaft ca my in same, one tof 'vhhich coacts with ltahe pie-W eke ofihet' orf which is eennecte'd with the float conifi olled rmeeins.-

A device constructed in accordance with claim *1 mid "fiurther cheracterized by the PIOV'iBiOH of relatively fixed buflers where'wibh the shaft cari'ied element and thesecond membercoect; *toriieve the shock in cident to -the e'ct1ion' of the springs.

Lmml

5. A device constnueted in EGGOIRdH/IIGG with claim lend mther dmmcteri'zevl by thefprov ieion of a, lpllunger pivoted me a, pent; of the holding mechanism; a secontl shaft through which the plunger passes; :an aim: cnrriedvi ythe shaft; the elements above specified constituting the float controlled means; amd e float operdbively connected with the mm.

6.111% device of hire class deecni'hed, a tie-11k; a msing hwvimg e apart coinmumicatwithwthe rte nk envirnlet end am outlet; a-welwelin the casing, the valve in its first pcs'ivtion oonnecting the pout with the oublet, the value in its second position connecting the iqilet with :the port; spring means for moving the valve from its first posibion to its eedond position; reversely rotatable mechanism nmdenbhe control of am operator for first eensioning 'the spring means and then neleeeing the valve 430 the motion of tihe spring means we move the valve from its first 'iptDSlbi'fln to its second position; end means for lrestoni-ng the valve to its first osition.

In a device "of tfhe class described, a tarnkye-cesing having a port communicatin}; with the tank, an inlet and em 'cutlet'; a valve-in the .caeiin :the wel-ve in its first position connecting -13 e rport W-ththe odfllet, the waive in FHIS 'seeond posit/ion connecting the "iniet with hheapont'i; spring meams for moving thevalwe from ies first positien to its :eecond tposibion; revereely Irotmahle nieehen-ismwmfler the-control otf an operator ier teensioning the eprintg means and then :zieleasin g the valve to the actionof the spring means to move the wwlwe from its first position *to its second postitiion e -see0nd spring Means for moving the valve from its second apositvio-n back to its fivst apeeibion; end tensionefl :saiel *re'vemel'y Toilet/able mechanisms; inedherniam for holding the secand pring medias :unfler beneion'; e float in the twink; "and an operative connection betwedn thewfifiat ieinfi thellast 'e'pecified holding ineans fle reieese flthe latter w henithe fioet llfifisv in testimony that I claim the foregoing as any own, Il'ha-ve hereto affixed my signature [in the presence of :two witnesses.

ERA NK L. BrUEF.

Witnesses:

Ivi' E. SI'M'PSON', 'P mmmmA A. Rocxmru.

Gopiel wUthmpamt w-be obtained 'tm' five cents ennh by' aming the flommissiom of Patents, Wacbmiton, D. 0." 

